Funding for Medway, Franklin projects vetoed

Two state budget ammendments passed by the Legislature last month for projects in Medway and Franklin have been vetoed by Gov. Deval Patrick.

The towns were informed of the vetoes on Monday.

One amendment, filed by state Rep. Jeff Roy, D-Franklin, would have provided funding for a hydraulic analysis of the Choate Pond dam in Medway, which town officials say is overdue.

According to Medway Town Administrator Suzanne Kennedy, the town was asked by its state representatives, including Roy and state Rep. John Fernandes, D-Milford, during the state budget process if "there might be something of interest to Medway."

One of the town’s suggestions was the study for the dam, Kennedy said, but the town learned Monday that Patrick has rejected the funding

"We have no idea why," Kennedy said.

According to Department of Public Services Deputy Director Dave D’Amico, a recent inspection of the dam concluded that it is still structurally sound, and a couple minor maintenance items were addressed.

In order to perform a proper analysis, D’Amico said a hydraulic study should be done to determine just how much water the dam can support in the event of a severe storm.

He said the latest hydraulic study of the dam was completed in 2007, and the town, using $200,000 in state grant money, upgraded the dam a year later.

According to state law, dams classified as having "significant hazard potential" are required to be inspected every five years to comply with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Selectman Dennis Crowley, in a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Brian Dempsey, D-Haverhill, asked the committee to reinstate the funding for the next fiscal year.

If the dam were to fail, Crowley said, Rte. 109, a state road, could be flooded. Additionally, structures along Chicken Brook, which flows into and out of the pond, could be destroyed, including Medway Mills, a historic mill that was restored and renovated into a business park for "dozens of vibrant small businesses."

The other ammendment, which asked for $60,000 to fund the installation and operation of solar-powered school zone safety lights in Franklin, was also vetoed.

Roy said he called the governor’s office asking for an explanation and was told Patrick "was eliminating all earmarks in the budget."

And with the new Franklin High School set to open this fall, Roy said the town’s "reasonable request" would help mitigate traffic in the school-heavy area.

"To me, these were two very important issues for both Franklin and Medway," Roy said, adding that he plans to ask the House and Senate to override the vetoes.

"On these types of things, the governor doesn’t always have the last word," Roy said.

Zachary Comeau can be reached at 508-634-7556 and zcomeau@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ZComeau_MDN.